Railway track tool



Nov. 24, 1942. c. s. WE YANDT 2,303,245

' RAILWAY TRACK TOOL Filed July 18, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY c. s.WEYANDT RAILW AY TRACK TOOL 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 18, 1940 v Nov.24, 1942. Q s Y T- 2,303,245

RAILWAY TRACK TOOL- Filed July 18, 1940 a Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR FLMATTORNEY Patented Nov. 24, 1942 UNITED STATES FATE? OFFICE RAILWAY TRACKTOOL Carl S. Weyandt, Homer City, Pa.

Application July 18, 1940, Serial No. 346,094

14 Claims. (01. 104-12) The present invention relates to railway tietamping devices or the like.

In the tamping of railway ties in laying new track, as well as inrepairing old track, there is a great lack of uniformity in theconditions encountered in the field. Thus, the ties are usually ofnonuniform Widths, are non-uniformly spaced, and in some instances arenot even parallel. Also, there is no uniformity in the size of theballast or its distribution under the tie. Furthermore, voids withoutballast or with insufficient ballast may occur at irregular spacingsunderneath the tie so that some spots require more tamping than others,and the time required for tamping thus is not uniform.

It is the general or prevailing practice to employ a portable poweroperated tamper for this work. Such tampers comprise a tamper barsecured to and impacted or vibrated by a suitable motor, such as apneumatic, electric or gasoline operated reciprocating motor, the motorand tamper bar constituting a portable assembly which may be lifted andpositioned manually by the operator. Such tampers may be positioned andmanipulated by the operator to follow the movement of the rock ballastunder the tie and, therefore, is adaptable to the irregular conditionsencountered in service. Also, the operator can feel when the ballast isfirmly packed and can stop the tamping operation at the proper time toprevent crushing of the rock. However, tamping in this manner, i. e.,one man operating one tamper, is very slow Work and inefficient use oflabor, as the amount of work accomplished is limited by the weight ofthe tamper, which must be such that it can readily be manipulated by oneman.

Attempts heretofore have been made to develop tamping machines foreasing the burden of the work and speed up the tamping operation, but sofar as I am aware, none of the proposed machines have gone into generaluse, apparently because they have not been flexible enough in theirhandling or control to meet the exigencies of the non-uniform conditionsencountered in service.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a tie tampingmachine .or the like which is entirely flexible in its operation so thatit may be adapted to tamp ties under any condition found in the field.

A further object is the provision of a tie tamping machine or the liketo lighten the burden of this type of work.

Still another object is the provision of a tie tamping machine or thelike which will increase the speed of tamping for a given man power.

According to the present invention I provide a tie tamper consisting ofa single unit or a multiple unit assembly which is supported in suchmanner that the tamper may be moved by the operator in any direction.This is preferably accomplished by means of a flexible cable, articulateconnection or the like carried by a suitable mast or boom on a suitablechassis and controlled by a prime mover operated hoisting device forraising and lowering the tamper assembly, the operation of the hoistingdevice being controlled by remote control means preferably located onthe tamper assembly and accessible to the operator. The chassis may beof any suitable construction which is self-propelled or propelledmanually and is adapted to run on the track with means for removing fromthe track. I may also manipulate my tamper machine from a motor truck orcaterpillar type tractor, which may carry the compressed air or electricpower plant or other means for operation of the tamper assembly,equipped with any suitable type of crane for lifting the tampermechanism bodily off of the track, this construction being preferablewhere it is necessary to quickly remove the apparatus upon approach of atrain. A mast or movable boom mounted on the chassis carries the weightof the tamper assembly by a flexible cable, articulate suspension or thelike, the cable being secured to the tamper assembly at the point abovethe center of gravity. Thus, the Weight of the tamper may be employed togive the tamper the proper inclination required to work the ballastforward and under the tie. Also, by proper. operation of the hoistdevice or by twisting or laterally moving the assembly, the operator cancontrol the direction of the blows delivered by the tamper in.accordance with the feel of the work. Preferably, the tampers areresiliently mounted .on an assembly and are preferably mounted so as toprovide a space for the rail at the middle of the assembly, and thetampers are inclined toward the middle so as to tend to drive theballast under the tie adjacent the rail. With this apparatus it ispossible to tamp a tie with one or more tamping units, each unit beingcontrolled by one man, and thus greatly increase one mans speed in doingthis work. For example, where sixteen men have heretofore been requiredto operate sixteen tampers, four men can do the equivalent with lessfatigue with my machine.

The invention will be described in greater detail in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein I have shown preferred embodiments of theinvention by way of example, and wherein:

- Figure 1 is a partly diagrammatic side elevation of a tamper apparatusmounted on a track,

Figure 2 is a plan view of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a modification,

Figure 4 is a side elevation of a detail of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is an end view of a magnetic brake apparatus for the hoistmotor, and

- Figure 6 is a wiring diagram.

Referring to the drawings, Figures 1 and 2, wherein certain parts arediagrammatically shown, the chassis is made up of cross bars 2, 2' ofchannel iron separated and insulated at 3 so as not to interfere withthe electrically operated train control mechanism, and connecting theside members 3 and 4, each of which is made of two oppositely facingchannel iron members 5 and 6. The cross bar 2 is secured to the sidemembers by angle plates or in any other suitable manner. At its ends theside members 3 and 4 have extension plates 1 welded or otherwise securedthereto, between which are journalled flanged wheels 8 on spindles 9passing therethrough, whereby the chassis is portably mounted on therailway tracks l0 and on ties l I. If desired, a ratchet wheel I2 may belocated on the spindle 9 of the wheels and a rod [3 suitably secured tothe side members for axial movement may be brought into engagement withthe ratchet wheel to prevent moving of the chassis along the track. Or asprag or other suitable means may be employed to prevent movement of thechassis during tamping operation. Brackets l4 carrying cross rollers maybe provided to facilitate removal of the chassis from the track.

A tool assembly, indicated generally by the letter T, preferablycomprises a frame I 6, Figures 3 and 4, carrying four electricallyoperated tamper units l1, l8, l9 and 20, preferably constructed andoperated as described in my Patent No. 1,819,009, issued August 18,1931. However, it

will be understood that any other type of tooladapted to the work to bedone, such as a spike driver or the like, may be employed in myapparatus, and the tool may be operated by an air or gasoline motor orin any other suitable manner.

The frame l6 or supporting structure for the tamper units comprises aV-shaped channel bar 2| which may be formed of channel sections weldedtogether and having arms 22 and 23 to which are secured bars 24 oneither side of the center of the V. These bars each carry a tamper unitbolted or otherwise secured thereto, and they are braced at their endsby bracing strap '28 secured at one end to the arms of the V bar and atthe other end to the bars 24 respectively. These bars 24 and 28 may bemade of spring steel sufliciently flexible to permit each tamper to giveor move independently of the others when suiiicient resistance ofballast is encountered,

At the center of the V is located a spindle 3| which preferably is abovethe center of gravity of the assembly, and to one side of the gravityaxis of the assembly. A flexible cable 32 is looped about the spindleand has its end clamped bya suitable clamp. Preferably the tamper unitsare slightly inclined toward the center, as shown in Figure 3, so thatin the tamping operation the ballast is driven toward the rails, and itwill be seen that in each assembly preferably two units operate on theoutside of the track and two units operate on the inside of the track.

At the center of the chassis and preferably at each side is located amast 35 of channel iron which may be secured to the chassis by angleplates or in any other suitable manner, and at its top the mast carriessheaves or pulleys 36 journalled in suitable spindles 31 passingtherethrough. A hoisting mechanism for each tool assembly, indicatedgenerally by the numeral 4!], is secured to the side members 3 and 4 andpreferably comprises a winding drum 4| operated by a reversible electricmotor 42 and a magnetic brake 43 (Figure 5) of known construction toprevent overrunning of the motor. Preferably, a separate hoistingmechanism is provided for each percussion tool assembly to be employed.While I have illustrated an electrically operated hoist mechanism, itwill be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, and anysuitable type of hoist mechanism may be employed, the type illustratedby outline in Figure 1 being of known construction.

The cable 32 passes over sheave 36 at the top of the mast down throughthe mast and under sheave 45 at the base of the mast to winding drum 4|of the hoisting mechanism, and it will be apparent that the toolassembly is pendulously supported by the mast and thus hangs from themast by the cable with its axis inclined from the vertical. It will beunderstood that in place of the flexible cable any type of articulatesuspension means may be employed which enables the tool assembly to bemoved freely. Two curved handles 46 and 41 (Figure 3) are suitablysecured to the V bar and enable the operator to control the movement andlocation of the tamping unit. These handles carry switches 50 and 5| forcontrolling the operation of the hoist motor, the left hand switch 50causing the hoist motor to wind up the cable. to raise the tamperassembly and the right hand switch 5|, causing the motor to unwind thecable to lower the tamper assembly. The V bar also supports the wiringfor the tamper motors for controlling the hoist motor. Each tampercarries a switch 52 for turning on the current for its operation. If

desired, one switch only'may be used to operate and control all themotors in one assembly.

Referring to Figure 6, there is shown a wiring diagram for operating anapparatus constructed according to the present invention. Two banks oftampers or tamper assemblies El and 62 are schematically shown withtheir individual control switches 52, which, if desired, may be omitted,the tamper motors being schematically represented by coils 63. Thesetampers are connected to the supply circuit by load switches 84 and 65.A generator 66 supplies two-phase alternating current of any suitablefrequency by the main line conductors 61, 68 and 69 to an excitationtransformer H which supplies heating current for the filaments I2 and itof the thermionic rectifiers 15 and 16. Current is supplied to therectifier 15 through conductor 11 and passing across the space betweenthe filament l2 and plate 18 is conducted by conductor 19 to the tamperload switch 54 for operating the bank of tampers BI, the currentreturning by the center conductor 69. The tube supplies current impulsesto the tampers 6| of like polarity separated by substantial zerointervals. Impulses of the same polarity as that passing throughrectifier 15 are conducted by conductor 8| to rectifier l6 and passingacross the space between the filament I3 and plate 82 are conducted byconductor 84 to switch 85 for operating the second bank of tampers 02,the current returning through conductor 69. The bank of tampers 62accordingly are actuated by current impulses of like polarity.

The hoist motor is diagrammatically shown at 85 and a magnetic brake forpreventing overrunning of the motor is indicated at 43. The

elevating control switches 50 and 5| are con- I nected to theinterlocked motor reversing switches 81 and 88 so as to reverse thedirection of rotation of the hoist motor. Thus, upon clos-, ing switch5| to lower the tamper assembly, current passes over conductor 39 andacross the terminals of switch 5| to the solenoid 92 for closing theswitch in and thus supplies current for rotating the hoist motor 85 inone direction. Immediately that current is supplied to the hoist motorthe solenoid 92 is actuated to release the magnetic brake 43 so that theshaft of the motor may turn. When control switch 5| is opened, switch8''! opens and the current to the hoist motor is out 013?, thus stoppingthe motor, and

the solenoid 92 being no longer energized the;

springs 94 (Figure 5) apply the brake to the motor shaft to stop itsrotation. To lift the tamper assembly the switch 50 is closed, thussupplying current to the solenoid 95 for operating switch 88 to supplycurrent to the motor 85, causing it to rotate in the opposite direction,the operation of the magnetic brake being like that previouslydescribed. Limit switches 91 and 98 are provided in conjunction with thehoist motor to prevent overrunning of the motor between the desiredlimits of operation. Switches 81 and 88 are mechanically interlocked inany suitable manner known in the art to prevent both switches beingclosed at the same time.

The operation of the tamper now will be detween the two outer units I9and 29 and the two i inner tamper units I1 and I8. The positioning ofthe assembly is accomplished without overrunning because of the magneticbrake attachment on the hoist which clutches the motor shaft when thecurrent is cut ofi. It will be r:

observed that the suspension of the tamper assembly is such thatnormally it is inclined somewhat to the vertical, as this permits easieroperation of the tampers. The operator can thus move the tampers to anydesired position while he stands erect and does not have to bend overthe tamper assembly in an unbalanced position which he would have toassume if these tampers were erect. Also, this suspension has theadvantage of allowing a large portion of the weight to be utilized fortaking up the recoil of the tamper motor. The tamper is lowered to theposition shown at B, where it engages the side wall of a cross tie II tobe tamped. The tamp- .ing operation now starts, the tamping bar fore--ing its way down underneath the tie and as it goes down the hoist isoperated permitting the assembly to move down to position C and astamping progresses on down to position D, the hoist being let out alittle at a time.

The tamping is done first immediately adja- -:cent thetieso that therock ballast can be compacted underneath the tie to make room foradditional ballast, the position D illustrating the extent to which thetamper may be manipulated to tamp under the tie. When the initialtamping operation is finished, the tamper is withdrawn by the hoistunder control of the operarock ballast can be forced under it, asdetermined by the feel of the operator.

.In tamping ties it is not feasible to attempt to force the rock ballastunder the tie into a predetermined position. Because of the irregularshape and size of the rock, the tendency of the tamper is to force therock into whatever position it is free to move and thus the rock may beforced laterally as well as toward the center of the tie, and it isnecessary that the operator be able to feel the way the rock ballast isyielding and direct the tamper blows in the proper direction. Thependulous suspension of the tamper in the manner described enables theoperator to control the direction of the blows to follow the rockballast in any direction and makes it unnecessary for the operator tolift the weight of the tamper or to use his body to resist the recoil ofthe tamper motor. Thus, little physical effort on the part of theoperator is required, so that he can handle a four tamper assemblyeasier than a single free tamper. Also, it is possible, with the tamperassembly, to tamp directly underneath the rails because the suspensionof the assembly allows the assembly to be rotated or twisted slightlyby.twisting the cable so as to bring either of the inside tamper barsunder the track. As soon as one tie is tamped the assembly is raised byclosing switch 50 and the apparatus is ready to be moved to the next tieand located in position for the next tamping operation. a

In the modification shown in Figure 3, wherein like parts arecorrespondingly numbered, the

chassis comprises a pipe |0| having wheels I02 suitably mounted on itsends to fit a rail and having a cross bar I02 suitably secured to itsmiddle by means of angle plate I03. At its opposite end the cross barI02 has a wheel I04 adapted to run on the other rail and is suitablyinsulated from pipe IOI. The cross bar I02 preferably is clamped to thetrack during operation in any suitable manner, and a sprag may beemployed to prevent movement of the chassis along the track. A mast I05extends upward from the middle of pipe IOI being secured thereto by anangle plate I06, and at its top the mast carries a horizontal bar I 01having sheaves 36 journalled at its ends. As shown in Figure 3, onetamper assembly is suspended by the cable 32 which passes over a sheave36 at the end of bar I07, over sheave I08 at the middle of mast I05,down through the mast and under sheave 45 at P the bottom of the mast,through pipe I0| and pended from the mast I05, it will be understoodthat another tamper assembly may be suspended from the mast on theopposite side thereof, and a separate hoisting apparatus provided forraising and lowering the second assembly. This modification is ofadvantage in that the chassis is of light weight and is easily removablefrom the track, so that, upon approach of a train the tamper assembliesmay be lowered and laid alongside the track and the chassis tilted overand moved out of the way.

Whil I have shown and described my invention applied to a tie tamper, itwill be understood that the invention is also applicable to a spikedriver, in which casea motor driven spike hammer is employed in place ofthe tamper bar and motor assembly, or other percussion tool.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by United StatesLetters Patent is:

1. In combination, a support, an assembly comprising a frame, and aplurality of tie tamper tools mounted on said frame, means pendulouslysupporting said frame for universal movement at a point above thegravity axis of said assembly, means to raise or lower said assembly,and means accessible to the operator to selectively operate said raisingand-lowering means. 2. In combination, a chassis, a mast extending fromsaid chassis, a reversible hoisting apparatus mounted on said chassisincluding an electric motor, a winding drum and magnetic brake, apercussion tool, a cable extending from said winding drum to said mastand pendulously supporting said percussion tool, and switches carried bysaid percussion tool to selectively operate said hoisting apparatus toraise or lower said tool.

3. A railway tie tamping apparatus comprise ing a chassis adapted to bemounted on a railway, a mast extending from said chassis, a reversiblehoisting mechanism mounted on said chassis, a percussion tool, a cableextending from said hoisting mechanism to said mast and to the operatorfor said hoisting mechanism to.

raise or lower said percussiontool, and brake means to preventoverrunning of said hoisting means. 4. In combination, a support, apercussion tool pendulously supported therefrom, electrically operatedmeans to-raise or lower said percussion tool, a handle for manipulatingsaid tool, and switch means on said handle to selectively operate saidfirst mentioned means. 5. A railway tie tamping apparatus comprising achassis adapted to be mounted on a railway, a mast extending from saidchassis, a reversible hoisting mechanism mounted on said chassis, apercussion tool, means extending from said hoisting mechanism to saidmast and pendulously supporting said percussion tool from a pointsubstantially vertically over a rail, control means on said percussiontool for said hoisting mechanism to raise or lower said percussion tool,and means to prevent overrunning of said hoisting means. 7

6. In combination, a support, a suspension means for a percussion toolsecured to said support for universal movement. a percussion tooladapted to be manipulated by an operator secured to said suspensionmeans for universal movement, means to raise or lower said percussiontool, and control means accessible to the operator to selectivelyoperate said latter means.

7. In combination, a support, a suspension means for a percussion toolsecured to said support for universal movement, a tamping apparatussecured to said suspension means for universal movement, means to raiseor lower said tamping apparatus, and control means carried by thetamping apparatus to selectively operate said latter means.

8. In combination, a support, a suspension means for a percussion toolsecured to said support for universal movement, a percusssion toolsecured to said suspension means for universal movement at a point aboveand offset from the center of gravity thereof, whereby said percussiontool assumes an inclined position, a handle for manipulating said toolabove its center of gravity, means accessible to the operator to'raiseor lower said percussion tool, and means to selectively operate saidlatter means.

9. In combination, a support, a percussion tool, pliable suspensionmeans for supporting said percussion tool for universal movement, ahandle for manipulating said tool, hoist means for raising or loweringsaid tool, and control means associated with the tool accessible to theoperator for controlling said hoist means.

10. In combination, a portable chassis, a mast or the like mountedthereon, a percussion tool, pliable suspension means for supporting saidpercussion tool from the mast at a point above and offset from thecenter of gravity thereof, whereby said tool assumes an inclinedposition, a handle for manipulating said tool, hoist means for raisingor lowering said tool, and control means carried by the tool accessibleto the operator for controlling said hoist means.

11. In combination, a support, a suspension means for a tie tamper tooladapted to be manually manipulated secured to said support for universa]movement, a tie tamper tool secured to said suspension means foruniversal movement above the center of gravity thereof, a handle formanipulating said tool above its center of gravity, means to raise orlower said tie tamper tool, and means accessible to the operator toselectively operate said latter means.

12. In combination, a support, suspension means for a tamper toolassembly secured to said support for universal movement, a tamper toolassembly including a plurality of tamper tools secured to saidsuspension means for universal movement, means to raise or lower saidassemblies, and control means accessible to the operator to selectivelyoperate said latter means.

13. In combination, a support, a pair of tamper tool assemblies adaptedto be manually manipulated, means adapted to pendulously support saidtamper tool assemblies on opposite sides of a tie, means to raise orlower said assemblies, and means accessible to the operator toseiectively operate said raising and lowering means.

14. In'combination, a support, asuspension means for a percussion toolsecured to said support for universal movement, a percussion tooladapted to be manually manipulated and secured to said suspension meansfor universal movement, hoisting mechanism to raise or lower saidpercussion tool, hoist control means accessible to the operator, andbrake means to prevent overrunning of said hoisting means.

CARL S. WEYANDT.

